We are thrilled you are considering UC Santa Barbara as your home for the next few years. If you are a senior in high school, or have recently graduated and have not enrolled in another college or university, apply for first-year admission. If you've completed college courses during high school—including during the summer after graduation—you're still considered a first-year applicant.
Admission Requirements
UCSB uses eligibility requirements and selection criteria to admit its next class of Gauchos each year. View our Eligibility and Selection page to understand admission eligibility requirements and the selection criteria used to admit our top applicants.
UC Application Playlist
The UC Application Tutorial: Fall 2026 provides step-by-step instructions on completing your UC application and is available to watch now. We have a UC Application Tutorial available in Spanish soon.
Application Resources for First-years
You probably have questions about submitting your UC application and about campus life at UCSB. Our downloadable brochures can help.
Admission Guide Brochure
View our guide to UCSB admissions for first-year and transfer applicants.
UCSB Viewbook
Take a look at what UCSB offers undergraduates in this visual guide to campus.